After suffering a shoulder injury that ended his rookie season prematurely, concerns arose when reports indicated Anthony Richardson was limited on the last day of OTAs. However, Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard addressed the situation on the GM Reshuffle Podcast, assuring that the young quarterback will have no restrictions in training camp:
“He’ll be full-go… He was full-go all the way up until the last day of OTAs, and we had two heavy throwing sessions the two days before, so we backed off a little on the last day.”
There are high hopes that Richardson will become a key player and lead the Colts to a successful season. However, if the second-year quarterback struggles with injuries, the team’s chances of achieving their goals will be significantly affected.
**Expectations Ride On Richardson’s Shoulders**
The Colts’ potential is undeniable, but their success largely depends on Richardson’s performance. The arrival of Shane Steichen in Indianapolis generated excitement, but injuries to Richardson and All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor tempered the results. Despite these setbacks, the offense remained competitive, suggesting that a fully healthy team could contend for the AFC South crown.
In his brief appearances in 2023, Richardson showed promise but also struggled with consistency. As he enters his second season, the Florida product must improve his touch and accuracy to enhance the offense’s passing and running game.
**Key Stat:**
In the three full games Richardson played in 2023, he had the second-highest average fantasy football scoring output, with only Josh Allen scoring higher at 24.2 points.
The Colts offense is likely to maintain a strong running game, which was a top-10 rushing offense in 2023 despite Taylor’s injuries. With Taylor back at full strength, the team is expected to excel in that area.
Richardson also projects as a high-impact runner. During his limited rookie season, he ran for four touchdowns and 136 yards in just four games. While his running may be slightly reduced for safety reasons, the 22-year-old has stated he doesn’t intend to change his playing style.
Competing in a tough AFC South division and a challenging conference, the Colts have the pieces in place to succeed. Now, it’s about capitalizing on the opportunity.
